One of the most rewarding parts of writing a blog is when people actually respond back to you. I was thrilled to get this link from my dear friend M.K., who suggested I share it with my readers. She’s right; it’s perfect for the beautiful snowy days here in Chicagoland. (If you don’t have snow, imagine that you do…)

Online shopping. Need I say more?

How did we do Christmas back in the olden days? Remember, we spent hours at the crowded mall and bought the “perfect” present which the recipient then returned. I’ll take an Amazon Wish List any day.

One of the most wonderful things about Christmastime is anticipation. There’s a certain extra spark to our anticipation at this time of year. I wonder what impromptu parties will happen; I wonder how many people will come to our band concert; I wonder what our family trip to points West will bring. I am also anticipating an addition to our family with the birth of a new grandnephew. What a blessing for all of us at Christmas; thanks, Vanderbilt Wife and Mr. V, for timing your pregnancy so perfectly!

As I write this on Friday night, we are anticipating LOTS of snow tomorrow. Although I didn’t take this photo, it could have been taken in my back yard during winter snows. I have a zillion errands to do tomorrow, so snow will interfere with my plans, but I just can’t help but be thrilled with the possibility of waking up to the pristine whiteness of brand new snow. I hope that the reality will equal the anticipation. See you on the flip side.

In my house, it’s not Christmas until we watch Love Actually and White Christmas. I have to work up to it, though, so I take a tour through my Christmas videos every year.

This year, I started with The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law, and Eli Wallach. It’s a typical sappy Christmas story, but its twist is somewhat original. Workaholic Diaz and Doormat Winslett both are Losers-in-Love, and on a last minute decision, switch houses for two weeks at Christmas to get away from their loser lives.

The thing I love most about The Holiday is that England is practically a character in the movie. The quaint village that Winslet and her brother (Jude Law) live in is my dream vacation destination, with a Cotswold stone cottage complete with a staircase that requires you to bump your head every time you come down, an under-the-stairs loo, and a sign on the gate announcing the name of the cottage. I wouldn’t be upset if Jude Law came over for a little nightcap, either.

Back in Los Angeles, Kate Winslet’s character and a once-famous movie writer, played charmingly by Eli Wallach, help each other to break out of their downhill spirals. Jack Black is the unlikely hero who charms everyone he meets, including Winslet.

All’s well that ends well, of course, so with twenty-three days left until Christmas, watch a sappy Christmas movie. It will lift your spirits and remind you of what’s right in the world.

Where are my Christmas mugs? I have carefully saved all of the school gifts with candy in them and snagged the leftovers that other teachers would have thrown out. I even bought a few to round out my collection. I lovingly amassed a dozen Christmas-themed mugs, not worrying about whether they are tacky or not. Aren’t Christmas-themed dishes just inherently tacky? I don’t care, though. I love the ritual of changing out my mug shelf every December.

We are UNDER CONSTRUCTION and there is no clear indicator that said construction will be done by Christmas. We are having two bathrooms remodeled at the same time, leaving us one to share. (I love my husband dearly, but it’s been many years since I had to regularly share a bathroom, and completion can’t come soon enough.) And my Christmas mugs appear to be a casualty of the packing process.

I’m so bummed. I want my coffee this morning in my mug with the angel handle. Is that asking too much?